You Just Got a Degree, Diploma or Certificate, Now What?
After completing an undergraduate program, you may be contemplating what to do next, as there are numerous options before you.
Leisurely Approach
After several years of attending school, some grads (high school as well as college) want — and even need — some time off. With the summer ahead, it’s a good time to relax and regroup for the next stage in their life. You may decide to travel, as there is no better time to fulfill your sense of adventure. Or, you may decide to take a low-key job for a while before you immerse yourself in your career.
Grad School
Some new grads consider continuing on their full-time education path instead of joining the workforce right away. In certain professions, having a Masters or other post-graduate degree is required to be qualified or considered for a particular position. You may want to achieve a higher level of education and degree in order to enter the workforce at a more advanced level.
Career
After obtaining your initial degree or certificate, you may be chomping at the bit to enter the workforce and use what you’ve learned so far. If you’ve been doing an internship, perhaps it will continue or lead to a full-time position with that company. You might even consider doing another internship elsewhere, particularly if it’s with your “dream” company. Another option is to take advantage of a rotational program at a company, as that offers the opportunity to take turns working within different departments and determine the best fit for you in an organization.
Once you have secured a position, you’ll get a sense of whether that direction is right for you and if you want to further your experience and education in that particular field. Or, maybe you haven’t yet decided on a specific career direction and you are exploring different options.
To start your career off with a bang, you need a great resume. Pongo’s Resume Builder, Letter Builder, Job Search Tool and Interview Videos give you all the tools to put your best foot forward. Or, one of our Certified Professional Resume Writers can write your resume for you and help you present yourself, your education, training and experience you’ve acquired in the best light.
What Will The Future Hold?
Don’t worry — whatever path you choose today can be altered down the road. A career change, position with flexible mother’s or dad’s hours, grad school or even entrepreneurship could all be on the horizon. Trust your instincts and move forward with confidence!
RELATED LINKS
Beginner's Process to the Job Search Process
The Basics of an Effective Job Search
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New Grads: How to Prepare for Your First Interview
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Dumbass Mistakes New Grads Make in Interviews